TRUE OR FALSE. Is the European Union making us eat insects, without us knowing it?

On social networks, for several months, some have claimed that the European Union is forcing us to eat, without knowing it, insect powder. Even if the European Commission authorizes its use, this must be clearly stated on the product.

With less than six months before the European elections, the True or False Unit looked into the preconceived ideas and false information circulating about the European Union and its functioning.

Wednesday December 27, we respond to those who wonder if it is true that the European Union has authorized the use of insect powder, to replace the flour we use in the manufacture of our biscuits or our bread, without warning consumers.

On social networks many people affirm this and the debate even took place on the benches of the French parliament when Senator Laurent Duplomb challenged the government, indicating that we could not “letting the French eat insects without their knowledge.”

Yes it is allowed, but it must be clearly labeled

There is truth and falsehood in this statement. What is true is that on January 3, 2023, the European Commission authorized, for five years, the placing on the market of a defatted powder of domestic crickets. A type of flour that is considered “high in protein and inexpensive to produce” explains the consumer association CFU what to choose. It can be used in the preparation of food products, such as “breads, biscuits, cereal bars, sauces or even pizza dough”, specifies the European Commission.

On the other hand, the European Commission clearly states that insect-based products must be clearly labeled, so it is false to say that we are being made to eat them without our knowledge. On all packets of biscuits, for example, made from cricket powder, the presence of insects in the composition of the product must be indicated. In addition, European health authorities consider that insects present an allergy risk and this must also be indicated on the products. The DGCCRF, the general directorate for competition, consumption and fraud prevention, tells us that this risk of allergy appears on the packages as a risk of allergy to molluscs and crustaceans.

A niche market

Furthermore, this is not the first insect authorized by the EU. VSis even the fourth in two years, sincethere was the mealworm or the migratory locust authorized in several forms: in powder, dried or frozen version. LThe taste according to the manufacturer is very light and rather neutral.

However, the consumption of insects remains niche for the moment. VSThese products are most often used to feed animals.